Shimla, Jun 4
Himachal Pradesh High court on Friday observing about Public Sector unit of union Government, BSNL stated that when entire world is proceeding or switching to 5-G technology the court is surprised by the way that BSNL is yet trying to procure 4G technology in Telecommunication upgradation.
Division bench of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Chandra Bhushan Barowalia made these remarks on the statement made by the BSNL counsel about upgrading the urban-rural divide in the internet and high speed bandwidth in the telecom technology.
The counsel for BSNL Navlesh Verma, stated that BSNL has already called for tenders for supply of 4G equipment but the same could not be finalised because of the objections raised by various authorities of the government.
” We are surprised to note that the entire world is proceeding or has rather switched over to 5G technology, why BSNL is still trying to procure outdated equipment of 4G.” Court made remarks on the reply asking that. “Why public money is sought to be wasted, is a matter of concern both for the public as well as for this Court.
“No government or authority for that matter has a right to say that it would indulge in wasteful expenditure and any attempt to fritter away the State resources can definitely be checked by this Court as it is not powerless to prevent such waste and squandering of public funds, as and when questioned. “
“The government and authorities are only trustees of public funds and, therefore, are at an obligation to ensure that the funds are spent in a proper manner and no amount is wasted and that the public money is not frittered away. ” Court said.
BSNL was asked to file a comprehensive
reply explaining “why it still wants to pursue and push for the equipment, which is totally obsolete and outdated and would only be rendered scrap very shortly.”
Bench also directed other service providers to ensure that all Mobile Towers that have been erected in far off area are fully operational and functional and compliance report in this regard be filed by them on or before the next date of hearing.”
The counsel for Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.
submitted that his client has erected approximately 600 towers in the last one year and proposes to erect many such new towers but the difficulty coming in the way is on account of stay orders that have been passed by the various Courts.
Court listed the matter on Jun 21, 2021. The instant PIL petition have been filed by counsel Vandana Misra against the State of Himachal Pradesh and others for enhancing internet services was listed for hearing on Monday.
The division bench in earlier hearing on May 31 had directed the respondent Union of India to file responds over the action taken to improve rural internet connectivity and connect all gram panchayats in the state with high speed optical fibres under Bharat Net program.
In four page order passed in the last hearing court had asked the centre to respond about the roadmap prepared for the implementation of programmes set-out by the centre on the next date of hearing on June 4.
PIL highlights the plight of the residents of the State, more particularly, the residents of the rural and backward areas of the State, in wake of poor Internet net connectivity and rural telephony.
Petitioner stated that the importance of access to Internet services has assumed great importance on account of Covid-19 pandemic.
